Reaction of menthol mint (Mentha arvensis) genotypes to sweetpotato whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) and bean golden mosaic virus (Begomovirus spp) in northern India

The identification of potential pest resistance to plant genotypes is considered most economical and eco-friendly for integrated pest management programmes in agriculture. In this study, population of sweetpotao whitefly [Bemisia tabaci Genn. (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae)] pupae, adult forms, and bean golden mosaic virus (Begomovirus spp) infections were sampled at different stages of growth in various menthol mint (Mentha arvensis Linn.) genotypes under natural field conditions at Lucknow and a variation in resistance potential was observed among genotypes. Among 26 menthol mint genotypes, MA-6, Damroo, Gomti, MAS-31, MAS-3F, MA-5, Sambhav, MAS-216V, MAB-1, MAR-45, MAS-265, Shivalik, and Kushal were found associated with low numbers of pupae while MAB-1, MAS-1-98-1, H. Putra, MAS-923, MA-5, MAS-92-2, Shivalik, MAS-92-1, Kushal, Gomti, Saksham, MAS-35 and Sambhav were found attacked by low number of adult of B. tabaci significantly (P=0.01). However, menthol mints genotypes; MA-6, MAB-1, MA-3 and Kalka were found infected with low number of twigs significantly (P=0.01) by bean golden mosaic virus. Overall, the M. arvensis clone of MAB-1 was found significantly less attacked by pupae and adult of B. tabaci and Begomovirus infection. These pest- and -disease resistant genotypes can be used in future hybridization programmes for developing new highyielding menthol mint varieties.